There is a popular misconception about locksmiths in Horbury. Many people think that if they lose their keys then the local Locksmith can come to their location, look at the lock, make a mould somehow and then produce a new key. Unfortunately, this is just not the case. If you lose your keys and you don’t have a spare, then the only option that the Horbury locksmith has is to replace the lock. This is where the real cost comes in for a locksmiths services, you are not only paying them for their time and labor, you are also paying for the products that they use to replace your lock.

In most cases locksmiths will carry around everything they need to service their customers. This means that their trucks or cars have replacement deadbolts, doorknobs and even key columns for your car. There may be some occasions that they do not have the necessary items to replace a lock, but overall they will have everything that they need. This does not mean that you have to use them to replace the locks. You can have them remove the old lock and you can do the rest if you like. However, if you aren’t handy, this isn’t recommended.

Now, if you are in a situation where you have broken your key in your lock, then this might be a salvageable situation. Most Wakefield Locksmiths can piece together a broken key and make a new key from the broken one. However, the condition of the key is important. If you break the key and there are several pieces and some are slivers, then even the best locksmiths may not be able to do anything with it.

Bent keys are also able to be copied by Mobile Locksmiths. However, in most cases you can take a bent key into a locksmith shop rather than calling a locksmith to you. This depends, of course, on whether the bent key is for your transportation. It is important for you to not attempt to straighten the key yourself as you may end up breaking it or causing enough damage to it to prevent a copy from being made.

Locksmith: Introduction to the Locksmith Trade

Perhaps you just got back from vacation only to discover that your keys are still somewhere in Florida. Or maybe the burglary down the street has you thinking twice about that broken lock on the back door.

Sooner or later, most of us will find ourselves needing a locksmith. Whether the job is big or small, it's important to do your homework. A locksmith will have complete access to your home, car, or business, leaving you vulnerable if the job is not done right.

Here are 10 tips for choosing a reliable, professional, and trustworthy locksmith:

1. Ask trusted friends and neighbors for a referral. If you can't get a personal recommendation, try checking with:

* Organizations in your area that rate service businesses, like Consumer Checkbook or Angie's List

* A local security or construction firm -- some keep locksmiths on retainer

* A trade association with a member referral service, like the Associated Locksmiths of America

2. Find out how long the locksmith has been in business. One who has been around several years in the same location is more likely to be reputable.

3. Ask if the company does or has done business under any other names. Sometimes companies will change names to ditch a bad reputation.

4. Ensure the locksmith has all required business licenses and permits. Licensing is not always mandatory, so find out what is needed in your area. If licensing is required, ask how to verify authenticity.

5. Find out if the locksmith is bonded and insured and for how much. You want to make sure the coverage is enough to cover any losses you may incur from property damage or faulty work.

6. Ask about certifications and professional affiliations. Trade associations keep their members informed of the latest industry developments. Members must often meet rigorous standards and some associations even require that their members pass a skills test. While this doesn't guarantee proficiency, it does improve the odds.

7. Ask for recent references and check them.

8. Get a written estimate. Give as many details as possible to get a more accurate quote. Ask if any additional charges will apply and about any discounts for which you may qualify.

9. Contact the Better Business Bureau to make sure there are no unresolved complaints. Also check with the local chamber of commerce, police department, and office of consumer affairs.

10. Ask what information will be kept on file after the work is done and why. Make sure all keys are turned over to you and that household locks are not set to accept a master key.

It's wise to seek out a good locksmith before you actually need one. If you suddenly find yourself in the middle of a crisis, you may not have time to thoroughly investigate your options. Using the above tips will help you find a dependable and qualified locksmith so you'll be ready whenever you need one.

Locksmiths Tools of the Trade, In the Field - Automotive

The price of residential evictions has been steadily increasing over the past ten years. But don't blame the lawyers. Our fees have stayed the same; all of the other associated costs have been growing up around us like weeds.

The total "cost" of an eviction is composed of two elements: the attorney's fee and essential litigation costs paid to third parties for such things as filing fees, service of process, and lock-out charges. Right off the bat, you'll have to incur charges for the court's filing fee and the process server's charge for serving the lawsuit on the tenant or tenants.

The current filing fee for an eviction case, in California for example, is $220.00 if the rent owed is $10,000 or less. Most residential evictions fit into that category. If the rent owed is over $10,000.00 but less than $25,000.00, the filing fee goes up to $345.00. If the rent owed exceeds $25,000.00 (hopefully, you'll never be in such a situation), the filing fee increases to $355.00.

The cost of service of process depends upon the number of known adult occupants living at the premises. Every known adult occupant must be named in the lawsuit and served with it regardless of whether he signed, or is listed as a tenant on, the lease. In a typical case where there are two known adult occupants (the husband and wife or unmarried couple), you can expect the process serving charges to total $140.00. Therefore, in the most common case (rent amount $10,000.00 or less, two known adult occupants), the filing fee and service of process charges will total $360.00.

One digression at this point, you may have come across advertisements-usually from non-lawyer eviction companies although some attorneys also do it- offering "low-cost evictions" for "$199.00" or some other ridiculously low number. Such advertising is misleading. An eviction, using California as an example again, cannot be done for that amount. The filing fee alone is more. Look closely at the advertisement and you'll see the words "plus costs". When you add in the costs, the "low cost" eviction jumps up to over $700.00.

Worse, since eviction companies aren't lawyers, if the tenant contests and trial is necessary, you'll have to hire a lawyer or use the one that the eviction company provides at an additional cost. In such instance, the price of the "low cost" eviction increases to around $900.00, about the same that you'd have to pay to retain a lawyer from the start.

Additionally, look carefully at what services the eviction company provides for the supposed "low-cost." Often times, the only service that the eviction company provides is to start the case, i.e., to do the initial filing. If the tenant then contests, you're on your own. With some eviction companies, they don't even handle the default if the tenant doesn't contest. In either event, you'll have to hire a lawyer at additional expense.

Back to cost. After you win you're case, you'll have to enforce your judgment with a lock-out. A lock-out is when the sheriff goes to the premises and physically removes the tenant and restores possession to the landlord. In California for example, the cost of a lock-out is $150.00 for the sheriff's charge and the writ of possession. Thus, for a typical eviction case, the costs for filing fees, service of process and lock-out will generally run around $510.00. That amount can be higher depending upon the number of adult occupants or the past due rent.

Last, but not least, is the small matter of the fee to be paid to the hard working attorney. Most attorney's fees, for uncontested cases, is less than the costs. In San Diego where I practice, you can expect to pay, generally speaking, around $400.00 flat rate for attorney's fees in an uncontested case and an additional $300.00 for attorney's fees if a trial is necessary. Some attorneys will not do a flat-rate fee for evictions after foreclosure, eviction of Section 8 tenants, eviction for a reason other than non-payment of rent or lease expiration, or cases where the tenant is represented by a lawyer. In such instances, the lawyer will charge by the hour. In San Diego, for example, the hourly rate for eviction attorneys varies between $200.00 and $300.00 per hour depending upon the lawyer's experience and level of expertise.

Most eviction cases are for the non-payment of rent, the tenants are unrepresented, the amount in controversy is under $10,000.00, there are two adult occupants, and either no trial occurs or there is a trial but the tenant does not have a lawyer. In such a case, you should expect to pay between $800.00 and $1,100.00 total for costs and attorney's fees to take the eviction case all the way through judgment and lock-out.